This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope you are able to celebrate with a fantasy football championship, fueled by advice and information provided here and from all the other amazing contributors on Rotowire. For those still playing for something in the final week of the 2019 NFL season, brace yourself, as injuries will drastically alter lineups across the league. NFL teams locked into playoff positioning often adopt a conservative approach with their hampered stars and rest those nursing even the mildest of injuries. The same generally occurs on the opposite end of the spectrum as teams long removed from the playoff picture elect to protect their players with an eye on the future. Nevertheless, let's attempt to make our way through the 2019 NFL injury reports for one last time.
The Baltimore Ravens: The top seed in the AFC has been direct with their approach in Week 17 and have already stated that several notable players, including MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and running back Mark Ingram, will not dress for this week's finale against the Steelers. The three-week break will be particularly helpful for Ingram who suffered a mild to moderate calf strain in Week 16's win over the Browns. Calf strains can be difficult injuries to manage and easily aggravated, especially if the affected individual returns prematurely. Look for Gus Edwards to be the feature back for Baltimore in Week 17 with Justice Hill also seeing an increase in workload. Backup quarterback and former Heisman trophy winner
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope you are able to celebrate with a fantasy football championship, fueled by advice and information provided here and from all the other amazing contributors on Rotowire. For those still playing for something in the final week of the 2019 NFL season, brace yourself, as injuries will drastically alter lineups across the league. NFL teams locked into playoff positioning often adopt a conservative approach with their hampered stars and rest those nursing even the mildest of injuries. The same generally occurs on the opposite end of the spectrum as teams long removed from the playoff picture elect to protect their players with an eye on the future. Nevertheless, let's attempt to make our way through the 2019 NFL injury reports for one last time.
The Baltimore Ravens: The top seed in the AFC has been direct with their approach in Week 17 and have already stated that several notable players, including MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and running back Mark Ingram, will not dress for this week's finale against the Steelers. The three-week break will be particularly helpful for Ingram who suffered a mild to moderate calf strain in Week 16's win over the Browns. Calf strains can be difficult injuries to manage and easily aggravated, especially if the affected individual returns prematurely. Look for Gus Edwards to be the feature back for Baltimore in Week 17 with Justice Hill also seeing an increase in workload. Backup quarterback and former Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin will get the start at quarterback with Jackson resting.
Dak Prescott: With the Cowboys' playoff hopes on life support, Prescott is expected to play against Washington despite an ailing shoulder. Prescott suffered a mild acromioclavicular (AC) sprain in his throwing shoulder in Week 15's win over the Rams and was limited throughout the week leading up to their meeting with the Eagles. Unfortunately, even the extra rest wasn't enough, as Prescott struggled throughout the critical loss, failing to connect on multiple deep routes to his receivers. The injury will improve with time, but look for Dallas to take a similar approach to last week and limit his practice reps in the days ahead. AC sprains can be braced, including with modifications to the shoulder pad, but Prescott could still be limited if there are any associated rotator cuff issues. Those looking to start the quarterback may want to scale back their expectations, even with a favorable matchup on tap. The Washington defense is ranked 24th against opposing quarterbacks, and Prescott previously torched them for 269 passing yards and three touchdowns in a Week 2 win.
Will Fuller V: The often-injured receiver is once again nursing a lower-extremity strain. While a hamstring strain has been his big problem throughout the season, Fuller's latest injury involves his groin. The muscle groups of the leg work synergistically to carry out the normal motion required for walking, running and jumping. A weakness or injury to one of the muscles often results in a cascade effect, placing undue stress on the other areas of the limb. With Fuller now hampered by two problems, a Week 17 absence seems likely, even with his current "day-to-day" designation. Furthermore, the risk of re-injury will loom large, making Fuller a precarious play. Kenny Stills and Keke Coutee will move up the depth chart with Fuller sidelined.
Derrick Henry: Fantasy owners that benefited from Henry's weekly contributions were left emptyhanded during championship week after he was unable to play due to a hamstring strain. The Titans believe Henry will be able to play in the regular season finale as they attempt to secure their spot in the playoffs. A week off will help, but it will not guarantee Henry is completely healthy. He will be a high-risk, high-reward play entering the final week.
Kyler Murray: The Arizona quarterback made an early exit Sunday after suffering a hamstring strain against the Seahawks. Subsequent imaging on the area revealed a mild strain. Coach Kliff Kingsbury has said Murray will start if able, but given the rookie's dependency on his leg, that could prove to be quite difficult. Brett Hundley will get the starting nod if the Cardinals decide to keep the future of the franchise in street clothes.
Dwayne Haskins: Washington's rookie signal-caller has already been ruled out for the regular season finale after he suffered an ankle sprain in Week 16. Haskins' injury is not a "normal" lateral ankle sprain but instead a more complex high-ankle sprain. These injuries involve the ligaments that connect the distal end of the tibia and fibula, creating an interlocking type joint. With the stability of the joint compromised, the recovery process often takes longer than a garden variety ankle sprain. As a result, Haskins will not be available to play in Week 17 and will instead focus on rehabbing in time for a complete and healthy offseason.
Seahawks running backs: Seattle's backfield has endured a myriad of season-ending injuries that have forced the team to turn to two familiar faces. The problems started when Rashaad Penny suffered a torn ACL in Week 14. On Sunday, starter Chris Carson suffered a broken hip while backup C.J. Prosise fractured his arm. Both players will join Penny on the injured list, leaving rookie Travis Homer as the lone healthy body at running back. As a result, Seattle has resigned veteran running back and fan favorite Marshawn Lynch as well as former Seahawk Robert Turbin. The duo is expected to see reps in Week 17 when the team faces off against San Francisco with the division on the line.
The signings of Lynch and Turbin are short-term Band-Aids, and it seems likely the injury woes in Seattle will linger into the offseason. Penny's injury seems destined to carry over into the start of the next season, with surgery also a possibility for Carson. Carson's recovery likely will be measured in months not weeks, though the team is optimistic he will ready for training camp. On the plus side, Prosise should be fine in four to six weeks as bone tissue often heals nicely and is capable of returning to its original strength.
